Racial Diversity In Modeling

[SJPdeux]

Birdsofparadise, I just had to say v.good points made in a great post.

 

[metal-on-metal]

It is DEFINITELY NOT a coincedence. So much attention is paid to the model casting that it's impossible for them to somehow accidentally overlook top girls like Liya again and again. I think it's a conscious and calculated decision, from the ends of design, marketing, and casting.

But that's not to say that I agree with this thread. There's no rule that houses have to present a 'we are the world' aesthetic on their runways. I agree with birdofparadise. It's her company and she can do whatever she wants. And surely Middle Eastern, Asian, and Indian women and men bring a huge chunk of change to Prada revenue each year, yet they are overlooked as well.

I think overall, Europeans are less concerned with this notion of representing all races. It's a very American thing. Look at a Tommy Hilfiger ad. You see a blonde girl, a brunette, an Asian girl, a black girl, an Indian girl. If Miuccia expresses less interest in this, I think she's only being true to her culture.

 

[metal-on-metal]

But...model agencies and bookers, casting agents and the like get paid a lot of money to choose the 'right' girl. You'd be foolish to think for one second that they don't actively, wholeheartedly discriminate. Of course they do, they get paid to do it: She's... too fat, too skinny, too pale, too dark, too black, too white, too known, too blonde, too womanly, too girly. We all remember the BBC's expose on the Elite Agency and top level exective Xavier Moreau spouting racist remarks when confronted with black model hopefuls. It's the nature of the beast. I think we're all well aware that we don't live in some candy coated world in which all wrongs are righted and people actually think for themselves. We can't nail Prada to the cross--there are too many in line before her.

Absolutely agree. Let's not be naive here.

 

[happycanadian]

metal-on-metal. . . i absolutely agree with your post. it is ABSOLUTELY not a coincedence. come on people. . . . 6 years???? she would have had to intentionally not include naomi, alek, liya, yasmin, etc etc. all these successful models doing all the other shows.

it IS her company and she CAN do whatever she wants with it. maybe she herself is not racist. maybe she is. we won't know unless someone asks her. but her ideals are CLEARLY aimed at a white eurocentric demographic.

and though i respect people who want to still wear her clothes and buy her bags, i am officially boycotting the label. my OPINION is that this is a calculated move to only sell to a very specific demographic (which in itself is FINE. . . do we really think that whites are targetted to buy Rocawear? or Babyphat? no.) however, since i have no interest in being any part of a specific group, i guess i'm done with prada.

 

[birdofparadise]

We need a happy thread now. Designers we love! Who wants to start it??? Me!

I love Dries Van Noten because he does really good knitwear and puts them on all kinds of chicks and dudes!

 

[SJPdeux]

happycanadian, you would go mad or be seriously without trying to boy-cott designers and labels that are not morally alligned with your POV! But saying that I guess it hasn't affected my cousins, as they have not worn Tommy Hilfiger for years

Re-read birdsofparadise posts, you will find some brilliant appraisals of the state of things.

p.s I lurve your passion!

 

[SJPdeux]

We need a happy thread now. Designers we love! Who wants to start it??? Me!

I love Dries Van Noten because he does really good knitwear and puts them on all kinds of chicks and dudes!

No one is doing dresses like Sophia. The woman is a design genius. I love creations that are meant to celebrate the sexiness of form. Not saying I don't like the deconstructred school. As i am just as enamoured with Yohji Yamamoto

 

[birdofparadise]

And I really love Temperley! So girly, so feminine! Sequins! Who says British fashion is dead???

 

[birdofparadise]

And I know I'll be stoned in the public square for thinking so but...yes...you guessed it!!! Marc Jacobs!!! The ankle grazing skirts with the tiny black socks! The velvet flower gowns, the p. d'esprit, the goth of it all! Orgasmic!

 

[birdofparadise]

Comme Des Garcons wedding gowns, McQueens animal print cha cha dresses and fur trenches, Galliano's silkscreen printed puffy coats...hell, even Miu Miu's detention debutantes in belted cardigans...yum, yum, yum

 

[PussyLee]

WOW! So Prada doesn't want to cast Black and Asian models (Except for Parks) on their Ads? Who cares! Are they Racist? NO! It's just marketing........Why is their a need for them to to cast other races?

Asians love to purchase a brand that are being marketed with caucasian models, Once the same brand is being modeled by asian models, they don't want to buy them anymore, the "Western Allure" is gone. Abercrombie realized this phenomena. Brand name products are hot in Asian countries, Karl Lagerfeld and Brad Kroenig just made a trip there to hustle Chanel in Japan.

I believe PRADA is doing the same, after all, it's a symbol of Status!

 

[birdofparadise]

lol, i love that, hustle Chanel...is that really true? Products promoted in Asian countries with Asian models don't sell as well?

 

[jssy4eva]

Ethnic women have always been lagging behind their European counterparts in the world of Media&Fashion forever. The only issue I have with this thread is the OP use of the word coloured to describe black models. Anyone calls me coloured to my face and I am likey to turn your face into a coloured mess. Think black, blue and purple...

I apologize for using the word colored...i didn't realize it would offend you....

Also, I would just like to reiterate the fact that i a i no way tryin to imply that Miuccia Prada herself is racist.I think that she is brilliant and am a big fan of her work. The only thing that i am trying to say is thatdesigners in general should have a mix at shows....look at Dolce and Gabanna...Gucci...Chanel...Baby Phat....Their shows aren't saying" we use back and brown girls" their sayin....all women are sexy and powerful and strong, and these women are fabulous.PERIOD.......the issue is not about color...it is about embracing everything that the world has to offer....

the human race is like a buffet (hear me out, not trying to offend anyone..i am hispanic) with all different types of delicous things to choose from....and prada seems to be that person who always goes to thae buffet and eats the same thing...never mixes it up....
its 2005....take somethin else from the buffet

 

[PinkSunrise]

I think it's just a coincidence...

Think so too

 

[jssy4eva]

WOW! So Prada doesn't want to cast Black and Asian models (Except for Parks) on their Ads? Who cares! Are they Racist? NO! It's just marketing........Why is their a need for them to to cast other races?

Asians love to purchase a brand that are being marketed with caucasian models, Once the same brand is being modeled by asian models, they don't want to buy them anymore, the "Western Allure" is gone. Abercrombie realized this phenomena. Brand name products are hot in Asian countries, Karl Lagerfeld and Brad Kroenig just made a trip there to hustle Chanel in Japan.

I believe PRADA is doing the same, after all, it's a symbol of Status!

so what do u define as status???being rich and white

 

[tiffany]

It does irritate me that Prada doesn't use a more ethinically diverse ranhe of models to showcase their creations - . So, I was really happy when they used Hye for the Prada and Miu Miu shows this season

Hye at Prada

 

[SJPdeux]

forget being rich simply being white will do, it seems, from reading that anyway!!!!


ROFLMFAO

 

[SJPdeux]

Comme Des Garcons wedding gowns, McQueens animal print cha cha dresses and fur trenches, Galliano's silkscreen printed puffy coats...hell, even Miu Miu's detention debutantes in belted cardigans...yum, yum, yum

OMG belted cardies own me

 

[happycanadian]

happycanadian, you would go mad or be seriously without trying to boy-cott designers and labels that are not morally alligned with your POV! But saying that I guess it hasn't affected my cousins, as they have not worn Tommy Hilfiger for years

Re-read birdsofparadise posts, you will find some brilliant appraisals of the state of things.

p.s I lurve your passion!

thanks for "lurving" my passion. lol. i lurve your nickname. SJP is a goddess!!! (though when i'm in NYC, i personally look for samantha's. lol)

and i realize that boycotting isn't going to change the world, nor change that label. but i just feel like i can't buy from them anymore. i just feel it in my guts. i think that clothes are made for everyone and anyone. and i don't agree with clothes being exclusive in the race or culture that they are trying to attract. that's why i love it when designers blend in african or oriental trends into their designs. it's like a mixing of the worlds.

i really feel almost stupid for never noticing about PRADA. i think that brands that are specifically targetted at minorities are a bit more obvious (ie babyphat, rocawear, sean john, etc). but i still don't agree with them. this isn't a "new" moral ideal that i've just now come up with. i've never worn something that is only meant for one group of people. i just had never noticed this about PRADA before. so now, i guess i'll just not wear her clothes anymore.

and i agree with you SJPdeux, i would go completely mad if i chose to boycott all designers that go against my moral POV. i personally would NEVER wear fur. i absolutely am morally opposed to it. but if i were to boycott every designer that has ever used fur in their shows or campaigns, i'd be walking around naked. that's why you gotta pick your battles, i guess. and this is one area where i feel strongly enough to actually follow through.

 

[SJPdeux]

happycanadian,

SITC initiated my love affairs with £400 shoes!!! SJP has a lot to answer to

I just wanted to share a little long story with you, when I was about 15 I used to shop in this little shop called TFNC. I thought it was heaven and i felt good paying 40 squid for a t-shirt just for the thrill of carrying the shopping bag! But a few years later, after YEARS of devout custom, and not just at sale season I might add, I went in one day, just to case the joint and see what was new that week, there was a shop assistant that asked if she could be off assistance, I said no, adding I was just browsing. At which she replied and I quote "if you are not buying you should not bother (us by coming in). I never went back. Ever.
I have a choice where I spend my money!